On 23 Sept. 2021 at 11.40 AM we headed towards Pondichery from Tanjavur. Actually we want to go Khumbhkonam to Airavateswara temple, but temple is closed in the afternoon, we would have to wait till 4.30 PM, so we cancelled and decided to go directly yo Pondichery. On the route it was very difficult to get hotel for lunch. Finally we found a simple hut where we could get only biryani. We reached Pondicherry at 5.30 PM and stayed at Aurobindo Ashram's Andhra Bhavan. Rooms are simple but very clean. From Andhra Bhavan all visiting places are nearby, tea, coffee, snacks, market as well.
On 24th September 2021 in the morning we had coffee, snacks at a nearby stall and after bathing we went to enquire and book Auroville which was 18 Km away from Aurobindo ashram. We booked Auroville from 26th to 30th September. Then we had lunch and came to Andhra Bhavan. In the evening we had a walk to Promenade Beach. While coming we took an Activa on rent for next day. Rent is Rs. 300/- per day
On 25th Sept.21 early morning we went to Serenity Beach by activa. Serenity beach is 4.5 km away from Sri Aurobindo Andhra Bhavan. A very good place, water is clean and waves are good. The beach has a sunrise point. There are many shops of eateries along beach side. We spent some time then went to Sri Aurobindo Ashram, a Spiritual community. Ashram is very clean and calm place. You have to switch off mobile phones and enter barefoot. Samadhi of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother is located at the inner courtyard of the Ashram Main Building. Flower decorations are very good. Pin drop silence must be maintained. Don't utter a single word. A excellent book shop is there where you can get books on spirituality. Pondicherry has become an important destination for spiritual seekers as well as tourists. Thousands of visitors from all over the world come to the ashram. Today, Ashramites live and work in more than 400 buildings spread throughout the town.
After visiting ashram we went to the cafe Des Arts. It is a quiet famous and good cafe in Pondicherry with great ambiance and good staff. We ate tartine and waffles with a cold tea. After cafe Des Arts we went to light house but as maintenance work is going on is closed for entry.
In the evening we went to cathedral "Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges". It is must visit place near the promenade beach. We just sit 5-10 minutes over there and filled with peace. Glass interior is excellent.
After visiting cathedral, we went to Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple which has magnificent idol of Shri Ganesha. There are different avtaars of ShriGanesha articulated on the walls. It is a big, clean, well maintained temple. Overall a devotional experience. As usual photography prohibited inside the temple. Footwear keeping stand charges ₹ 2/- per pair. When we came out after taking darshan, we saw a brand new car outside the temple, it is said that, it is a ritual here that whosoever gets a new vehicle first brings it here for Lord Ganeshan’s blessings.
After Ganesha's darshan we went for a walk and enjoy the sea waves to Promenade beach which is called as Rock Beach or Pondicherry Beach which has a stretch of 1.2 kilometre beachfront along the Bay of Bangal. When we visited, as it was a Saturday, beach is fully crowded and eateries shops as well. We almost spent 2 hours there enjoying lot of people playing in water and eating food as well. Today we had so many places and got to much exhausted because it was a sunny day.
The Promenade beach, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple and Sri Aurobindo Ashram are just a few steps away from each other and other places too in the vicinity of 4-5 km. On 26th we are at Auroville..
